Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 2026.

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Virgins are at it again.

More apologies for the delay in posting comments and answering Emails but The Net has been down yet again in my little corner of the planet - thank you Mr Branson - not!
(I've been told that planets do not have corners unless you're a member of the FES so I'll change it to 'neck of the woods'.)
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Good news, however, is that subscribers to Jazz Journal International are now receiving their copies of the re-launched publication and selected shops should soon have theirs - watch this space.
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More good news - RUTH LAMBERT struts her stuff at the Highfield Hotel, East Rainton, this Sunday (May 10). Paul Edis and Andy Champion complete the triumverate. The bad news is that, after this gig, the jazz sessions at the venue will be monthly (last Sunday in the month). So please show your support - you did it for Tony K and Julian S - do it for Ruth, Paul and Andy. And it's free...
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Mention of Ruth prompts me to draw attention to last night's rehearsal/recital by Ruth and the Customs House Big Band at the New Crown in South Shields. The eternal teenageric Ruth was in fine voice - her smoky take on "Black Coffee" is up there with Peggy's whilst "Mambo Italiano" was inspired by George's Auntie Rosemary.
As for the big band, if you get the chance, cast an ear to their workout on an arrangement of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band's "High Maintenance" - a groover was how CHBB's leader Peter Morgan described it - he was right! Next New Crown session Tuesday June 2 (I think).
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I've got a soft spot for vocal groups - The Boswell Sisters, The Andrews Sisters, The Four Freshmen, The Mills Brothers and Manhattan Transfer...Click here for their version of "Blue Champagne".
Lance.
PS: Liz might like this (see comments).
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3 comments :

Liz said...

Loved that " Blue Champagne" Lance,I had forgotten how good Manhattan Transfer was. The Ink Spots were another great vocal group & a fave of mine. I recently got to thinking about Les Paul & Mary Ford, my dad & I used to listen to them "How High the Moon" springs to mind.
Liz

Wednesday, May 06, 2009 11:35:00 pm
Lance said...

Les Paul is, I believe, still performing live age 94.

Thursday, May 07, 2009 1:10:00 am
Liz said...

Thanks for the memory, as Mr Hope used to say..How unique was that Lance? and innovative at that time.
Liz

Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:10:00 am

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